Venezuelan leader Maduro arrives in New York for arraignment
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, landed in New York after being captured in Caracas.
NEW YORK – Detained Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro pleaded not guilty in federal court in Manhattan on January 5 to charges of leading a conspiracy to transport thousands of tons of cocaine to the United States.
Maduro, who was expelled from Venezuela by the U.S. military, filed his petition just two days after arriving in New York. If convicted, the ousted Venezuelan leader could spend decades in prison.
“I’m innocent. I’m not guilty. I’m a decent human being. I’m still the president of my country,” Maduro said in court on January 5, but was cut short by U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein.
Maduro was in court for his arraignment. An arraignment is a formal proceeding in which a defendant is informed of the charges he or she is facing and given an opportunity to plead. His wife, Cilia Flores, was also present and has pleaded not guilty to several similar charges.
Julian Assange’s lawyer represents Maduro
When the judge first asked Mr. Maduro to identify himself, the ousted leader, released from custody, gave his name and said, “I am the president of the Republic of Venezuela.” “I was captured in my home in Venezuela,” Maduro added, before Hellerstein interrupted him.
Maduro also told the judge that he had seen the indictment against him but had not yet read it. He said he had partially discussed it with his lawyer.
Barry Pollack, the lawyer representing Mr. Maduro, is no stranger to high-profile cases. Pollack previously represented WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange. Assange was charged with violating the Espionage Act for publishing classified information leaked by Chelsea Manning.
The captured leader said he did not need to have the indictment read out formally in court, but would rather have it read out in private. When the judge told him he had the right to remain silent and to have a lawyer, Maduro said: “I did not know about these rights. On your honor, you are now informing me of them.”
What crime is Maduro being charged with?
The indictment accuses President Maduro of collaborating for decades with “narco-terrorists” – essentially drug traffickers who use violence and intimidation – to distribute cocaine into the United States. The charges date back to the 2000s, when he served as Venezuela’s foreign minister and provided diplomatic passports to drug traffickers.
The indictment also charges Maduro with illegally possessing firearms in support of a drug trafficking scheme.
Maduro served as Venezuela’s vice president under President Hugo Chávez from 2012 to 2013, and has been the country’s president since Chávez’s death in 2013.
President Maduro’s wife Cilia Flores ‘seriously injured’
The indictment also charges Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, with illegal drug importation into the United States and conspiracy to commit gun crimes. She and her husband were detained by U.S. military personnel. She also pleaded not guilty in court on January 5th.
“I’m not guilty. I’m completely innocent,” Flores said through an interpreter.
Her lawyer, Mark Donnelly, said she had suffered “serious injuries” and motioned to the judge in court to show that she had obvious physical injuries. He said his client may have suffered broken ribs and bruises and asked the judge to ensure that both she and her husband received medical treatment. Hellerstein approved the request.
Contributed by: Reuters.
